A painting crew covered five words inside Chargers Park this offseason, part of the club's renovation to its weight room. “Championships begin in the division” for years scrolled a white wall in blue, capital letters.

None of the words remain today.

The message still does.

The Chargers will host the Broncos on Sunday at 1:25 p.m., looking to rebound from not only a loss last week versus Washington but, more relevantly in the greater scheme, what occurred more than a month ago in Oakland. San Diego's need to get on track in the AFC West comes against an opponent it knows well.

Between 2004 and 2009, the Chargers won five AFC West championships.

All five titles were won with a 5-1 division record, something the franchise hasn't been able to match during its current three-year playoff absence. The Chargers finished 3-3 in 2010 and 2011 before a solid 4-2 in 2012.

This year, Oakland beat San Diego 27-17 in the Bay Area on Oct. 6. Still to be played are two games each against the Broncos (7-1) and Chiefs (9-0) and one more with the Raiders (3-5).

"We've got five of eight (games) in the division starting this Sunday," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "Regardless of how hard it's going to be, we control our own path.”

Coach Mike McCoy watched film of the Broncos this past week.

Their offensive scheme is very much the one the ex-coordinator remembers. He could, he said, call out which plays were being run if so desired, something he added holds limited value since he won't be in a helmet and shoulder pads.

McCoy worked in Denver from 2009 to 2012, but you otherwise couldn't tell.

"No one called me," McCoy said, referring to his communication with his former colleagues in recent days. "The return phone calls don't come back as quickly anymore. That's actually been since the season started. They don't want to say too much right now, but hey, we're all buddies. There are great people there. I'm sure I'll talk to them before and after the game."

Some Broncos should know what this game means to San Diego. Three of them played here last year, include two who were a part of all five titles.

Cornerback Quentin Jammer, 34, spent 11 seasons with the Chargers. He often has been inactive this year, playing 20 defensive snaps over two games. Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, a 2004 fourth-round draft pick, and right guard Louis Vasquez, a 2009 third, have been more productive in their new home.

Phillips, who has a team-high 6.5 sacks, was a talker on the field when with the Chargers. His ex-teammates expect no different Sunday.

"He's going to be talking, definitely," outside linebacker Larry English said. "I foresee him trying to jaw at Philip a little bit."

Vasquez has been his usual, consistent self, not missing a snap yet this year. He played the better part of two games in Weeks 7 and 8 at right tackle, being slid to replace an injured Orlando Franklin.

How Vasquez and the Broncos offensive line fares against the Chargers interior pass rush will be a key aspect of this game. A defense would like to move a pocket quarterback off his spot and disrupt his rhythm.

"It's going to be a great game, going against (Vasquez)," defensive end Corey Liuget said. "I know he loved San Diego, but we're his worst enemy come Sunday. ... He's never seen me go 100 percent."